Thursday, September 10, 2009

Supreme Court opening

Gov. Mike Beebe has announced he's been informed by Justice Annabelle Imber that she plans to retire Jan. 1. Beebe will then appoint someone to serve until an election in November 2010 to serve the remaining four years on her term. The appointee may not run for the position.

This will create a second vacancy on the court. Three candidates have already announced for the seat vacated by Justice Tom Glaze's retirement. Justice Elana Wills is filling the seat by appointment.

Imber has been on the bench for 20 years and on the Supreme Court since 1997. She told the governor she planned to retire for personal reasons and to seek other "service opportunities."

Said Beebe: "Annabelle Imber has always served as a thoughtful, deliberative and considerate judge. Her decision to give this much advance notice of her retirement will allow her potential successors ample time to prepare their campaigns. I thank Justice Imber for her diligence in working to ensure equal justice under the law for the citizens of Arkansas."

The Arkansas Democratic Party has waded hip-deep (maybe over its head) into the suddenly hot issue of Confederate statuary. It has called for removal of such monuments to museums or private places.

Another member of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's senior staff is heading for the exit. Kelly Eichler, senior advisor for criminal justice (and a Hutchinson appointee to the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees) has given notice she'll be leaving in a couple of weeks.

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